Just 269 residents out of 9,216 who were eligible turned out to cast their ballots during the eight-hour referendum. Residents voted on three components of the budget: education, general government, and debt service.

The mill rate was set at 31.18 mills, a .43-mill increase, according to Director of Finance Marianne Sylvester.

After the board acted on the mill rate, Chairman John Henehan offered a post-vote assessment.

“This all passing is very good for everyone,” Henehan said. “Getting no one to show up – what was it, 3 percent? That probably was not a good thing.”

Edward Wenners who took a seat on the board in November, joked, “Now that I am an expert ... ,” prompting Henehan to interrupt, “Now we know who to turn to …”

As the general laughter subsided, Wenners resumed speaking.

“I think it’s a good thing that so few people voted. It shows that the budget was non-controversial and that people felt comfortable with what we did,” Wenners said.

“There wasn’t much publicity about (the vote),” board member Amanda Drew complained, “I felt comfortable that the town budget and the Board of Ed budget didn’t scare people, and cause people to run out and vote against it,” Henehan said.

Henehan commended both Town Manager Jon B. Sistare and Superintendent of Schools Paula Talty and the Board of Education for their efforts in crafting their respective budgets.

Wenners turned to finance director Sylvester, thanking her for her efforts throughout the budget-making process. “You made it easy for us,” Wenners said.

“Marianne is well recognized statewide as someone who is central to the town and, more specifically, the Board of Finance,” Henehan said.

Even as he welcomed the success of the passage of the first budget he had presided over as chairman, Henehan added a cautionary note to his colleagues.

“It’s going to be more and more challenging going forward,” Henehan said. “Nothing is getting less expensive, and it’s going to be more difficult for everybody.”